Salomon XT Wings 3 Trail Running Shoes

www.salomon.com, 8.5 ounces
Of all the outdoor sports we cover, running generates the most brand-loyal gear-lovers. Such allegiance—born from literally thousands of footsteps—is understandable, and also informative.  One loyal tester has been wearing Salomon shoes while trail running for years, for everything from casual weekend runs to mega-mile outings that make our quads ache with just the thought of it.  So when he pronounced that the Salomon XT Wings 3 were his new go-to pair of trail runners, we took notice (and so should you).  These burly kicks are far from the minimalist models; the shoes measure in with a 11.5-mm heel-to-toe drop, making these more SUV than sleek convertible, and that’s perfect if you’re prone to rough trails. Triple-density EVA foam in the midsole provides loads of cushion against the bruising terrain (protection that’s amplified by a TPU toe guard and mud guard), while the “Contragrip” outsole clings to all variety of trail, from roots, rocks, and packed dirt to snow and slippery mud. Our tester tore through the fall and winter season in his test pair with hardly a hitch in his step.  The uppers are made of quick-drying, breathable mesh, and the thin lacing assures a tight fit without pressure points. We also love the “lace pocket” under the tongue, which secure the excess laces from flopping around.  These aren’t fully waterproof; Salomon offers Gore-Tex in other trail runners. But when paired with a thick pair of merino wool socks, we found the XT Wings 3 to be versatile nearly year-round. Some may find the toe box a bit rough right out of the box; one newcomer to trail running found that he bruised part of his big toe after an inaugural outing—though he didn’t feel any discomfort mid-run. But after that first outing, the issue hasn’t been repeated.